Caitlin Clark makes hitting shots from the midcourt logo look so effortless that these days, even ten-year-olds are chucking basketballs in their driveways like they’ve got ESPN cameras rolling. One nine-year-old point guard named Moira was asked what she loved most about Caitlin’s game. She didn’t blink: “She shoots 3s,” Moira NY Post, like it was the most obvious answer in the world. So while we talk about the revenue Clark pulls into the league, while economists debate the rise of Clarkonomics, let’s also talk about the Clarkquake among the young girls. Clark has really redefined women’s basketball, injected hope into it, and it’s here to stay. But there’s a reminder as well for these young minds.

As Michael Jordan, the jumpman himself, once warned that the three-point revolution might just be getting a little too trigger-happy. MJ, who made a living off mid-range daggers and fadeaways, wasn’t exactly sprinting to the arc. To him, the game was art. It was a combination of footwork, shot creation, post-ups, and locking someone down on defense until they questioned their life choices. He doesn’t hate the three, but he sure doesn’t trust a world where it becomes the thing. In the Jordan gospel, balance is everything.

That same perspective echoes in the current conversation around Caitlin Clark, especially after her performances post injury. While much of the spotlight on her centers around her deep shooting range, her game has never been defined by that alone. Clark has always been an all-around point guard, and she demonstrated that versatility against the Connecticut Sun. As broadcasters praised her shooting touch, she made a perfectly timed bounce pass through traffic to Damiris Dantas for an easy layup. It was a play rooted in vision, anticipation, and feel – qualities that transcend any one shooting stat. The broadcasters quickly shifted the narrative, urging fans to not just admire the long-range bombs but to learn from the subtle brilliance of moments like these.

Commentator Debbie Antonneli said, “Every little girl in their driveway is launching triples. I’m just gonna say, make sure you learn the fundamentals, too. Don’t just be firing away from downtown.”

So, Caitlin Clark can score with ease, but that’s just one part of what makes her special. She’s a sharp passer who reads the game really well, almost like she knows what’s coming next. She hustles on defense, has precise ball-handling, helps set screens, and grabs rebounds too. It’s the kind of well-rounded play that coaches can show young players as an example of doing all the little things right.

And honestly, they have been doing that. As Tony Darden said, “It’s a good model to show all the other girls coming up like, hey, you don’t have to just shoot 30 times a game. You have to learn to do other things because when you get to that next level, everybody else is going to be able to score just as good as you. How are you going to stand out? She’s (Clark) taken it to a different level.”

Just because Caitlin Clark can drain shots from the logo doesn’t mean it’s a green light for everyone else. She’s put in years of hard work, building up her strength and perfecting her form to make those deep threes look effortless. That’s why coaches like Darden have their young players start close to the hoop and move outward, making sure they build solid form before dreaming of long-range bombs. “That’s the gap between being a good shooter and a great shooter,” Darden said.

So, with time, these kids have actually been understanding what Debbie demanded. As Sue Phillips told AP News last year, “I don’t know if we have data to back that up, but I can tell you we do have more kids willing to work on their skill set to build on that..I do see that there’s more motivation, based on what they’re seeing on social media and TV, that there’s a lot more opportunities to see games being played. It’s great.”

Yet, the thrill around the range is not going anywhere.

Why Curry and Clark’s Style Is Called “Pure Basketball”

Basketball, like any sport, is ultimately rooted in joy. At its core, it is about expression, connection, and the freedom to create. While wins and losses often dominate headlines and influence decision-making through statistics, efficiency ratings, and other measurable data, the true essence of the game lies in the experience it offers. It is about emotion, excitement, a sense of community, and above all, happiness. 

This is why the way Steph Curry and Caitlin Clark play resonates so deeply with most. Clark and Curry remind us of what basketball is truly meant to be: a game that brings joy, whether you are playing it or simply watching. Their styles are fluid and fearless. They step into shots from improbable distances and make it feel natural and easy. 

But their impact goes beyond entertainment. They do not dominate with size or brute strength, but with vision, skill, and creativity. They win by reading the game, reacting with instinct, and executing with precision. These are qualities that young players can relate to and work toward. 

As Pat Boylan said in the game, “Steph Curry talked about before Caitlin Clark, and now Caitlin Clark has added this to the mix. They are unbelievable shooters from 30-35 feet. But they’re so great in part because they’ve mastered the fun of it.”

Notably, Stephen Curry made 26 shots from 30 to 34 feet during the 2023–24 NBA season across 70 games. Caitlin Clark, now in her sophomore WNBA season, has already hit five such shots. In her rookie season, she made 17 from that same range in 42 games. That brings her total to 22 deep makes in just 47 games. Curry, for his part, also converted five shots from beyond 34 feet this past season, further cementing his role as the game’s ultimate range-stretcher. Together, Curry and Clark have expanded the perimeter and reimagined what shot selection means in modern basketball. They are more than prolific shooters, they are pioneers reshaping how basketball is played. Curry’s shooting gave rise to so much variety in offensive tactics, the effects of which we see in today’s basketball. 

Curry’s 2016 Warriors proved that a free-flowing, perimeter-oriented offense could be both beautiful and dominant. They played with pace and creativity while achieving tangible success. Clark is now sparking a similar transformation in the WNBA, a league historically defined by physicality and post-oriented play. Her approach is fluid, aggressive, and full of flair, offering a fresh and electrifying contrast to traditional styles.

Through Curry and Clark, we are reminded that results matter, but how you achieve them can set you apart.